No controversy: McCown stays

David White, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published 4:00 am, Monday, September 10, 2007

Photo: Paul Chinn, SFC

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

Quarterback Josh McCown scrambles for yardage in the third quarter. The Oakland Raiders vs. Detroit Lions at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007.
PAUL CHINN/The Chronicle
**Josh McCown
Ran on: 09-11-2007
Josh McCown will continue to be the starter over Daunte Culpepper, who is one of the highest-paid backups in the league.
Ran on: 09-11-2007
Josh McCown will continue to be the starter over Daunte Culpepper, one of the highest-paid backups in the league.
Ran on: 09-11-2007
Ran on: 08-18-2011
Josh McCown, who played in the UFL last year and has thrown only six passes in the NFL since the end of the 2007 season, signed with the 49ers on Wednesday. B3 less

On second thought, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin likes his first thought just fine when it comes to picking his starting quarterback.

"Yes," Kiffin said Monday when asked if Josh McCown was still his starting quarterback after Sunday's 36-21 loss to Detroit in their season opener.

Looks like Kiffin's days of keeping starters secret are done.

Without so much as a stutter, he snuffed any potential for an extended quarterback controversy by saying McCown will continue to start ahead of Daunte Culpepper based on merit, not merely Culpepper's late arrival to training camp.

Kiffin used his news conference to support a decision that took him five weeks to make, and one he didn't announce until Sunday's game.

He cited McCown's 75 percent completion rate and 313 passing yards. He said McCown didn't miss any audibles and had no wrong formations.

In short, Kiffin said McCown did everything he was asked to do, even if a sellout crowd of 61,547 at the Coliseum chanted for Culpepper when the Raiders fell behind 17-0 in the third quarter.

"Josh managed the game extremely well," Kiffin said. "Josh, for the most part, put the ball exactly (as) if you were playing a video game and had a joystick on him and made his decisions."

Kiffin pinned the scoreless first half on scattered 3rd-down breakdowns, such as a bad snap, false start or dropped pass.

Kiffin also took it easy on McCown for throwing two interceptions and fumbling three balls, saying there were various factors and second parties involved.

"He did a lot of good things, even when the crowd got on him," said wide receiver Ronald Curry, who had 10 catches for 133 yards. "The first person everyone wants to yank is the quarterback. He did a great job of hanging in there."

That leaves Culpepper as one of the highest-paid backups in the NFL. He secured a $3.2 million deal when he made the opening-day roster. McCown is making $2 million in a one-year deal.

He got hurt on the Raiders' third offensive play and left one play later after a botched shotgun snap.

"Frustrating as hell," said Newberry, who missed all of last season recovering from a knee injury. "Never hurt a hammie in my life. Didn't know I had one.

"But, my knee's still good."

Newberry's foot slid on the infield dirt at the Coliseum as he reached for a defensive tackle after the snap.

Former starter Jake Grove, who is smaller but quicker than Newberry, took over in the next series. Kiffin admitted Grove "struggled" to slow nose tackle Shaun Rogers, who weighs at least 40 pounds more than Grove.

Not so special: Players raved about the strides they made under new special teams coordinator Brian Schneider during training camp.

That didn't show up in a postgame report card given to special teams players Monday. It listed 12 goals for the game, and the Raiders flunked all but the "100% punt protection" rule.

Most glaring was Rule No. 12. Next to "100% Fast, Fierce and Finish!!" the final score read: "NOT EVEN CLOSE."

Kick returner Chris Carr described Schneider as "angry and disappointed" with their play.

"I think we were a little overconfident, but now there's really no excuse," Carr said.

Briefly: Kiffin said he would not have an injury report until the team practices Wednesday. ... Oakland's 24 first downs were second-most by an NFL team during opening weekend. Curry's 10 receptions are tops in the league.

Raiders Sunday

Who: Raiders vs. Broncos

When: 1:15 p.m.

Where: Denver

TV/Radio: {KPIX} / 560

Inside

Russell update: Top draft pick's signing said to be close. B6

Around the league: Injured Bill Kevin Everett's prognosis is bleak.B6

Latest from the SFGATE homepage:

Click below for the top news from around the Bay Area and beyond. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to learn about breaking news and more. Go to 'Sign In' and 'Manage Profile' at the top of the page.